One of two teens accused in beating charged as an adult

February 05, 2003

BOONSBORO - One of two 17-year-olds charged in the beating of a third teenager early Tuesday along Alternate U.S. 40 has been charged as an adult because of the seriousness of the charges, Maryland State Police said.

Jason Lee Manning, of 702 N. Main St., Boonsboro, was being held at the Washington County Detention Center Tuesday on $30,000 bond, according to records in Washington County District Court.

He was charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and being a minor in possession of alcohol, police said. He was automatically waived from the juvenile to the adult system.

A second boy was charged as a juvenile with second-degree assault and being a minor in possession of alcohol. He was released to the custody of his father, according to Sgt. Steve McCarty.

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The victim, also 17, was treated at Washington County Hospital and released, a hospital spokesman said Tuesday afternoon.

The incident came to light shortly before 5 a.m. Tuesday when man jogging along Alt. U.S. 40 in Boonsboro saw two boys beating a third boy. One of boys allegedly kicked the third in the head about 10 times while he lay on the ground, police said.

The victim was unconscious at the hospital when police arrived, McCarty said.

According to the police report, McCarty said, police received the jogger's call at 4:53 a.m. after the man had seen two boys striking the third in the head, neck and back area. The witness was near the Boonsboro Produce store.

While the victim was on the ground, McCarty said, one of the boys began kicking him in the head, even though the other boy who had initially been helping in the beating was pleading for him not to kick the victim in the head.

The witness saw the boys leave in a Ford Ranger pickup, got the license tag and relayed it to police, McCarty said. Police found the Boonsboro address for the car and located the boys.

While police were trying to arrest them, one ran but was caught by police, McCarty said. McCarty alleged that officers smelled alcohol on the boys' breath.

McCarty said it was not clear why the fight began, but the report indicated the three boys had been friends.

Trooper 1st Class David Harper is the lead investigator on the case, McCarty said.